Jeong Gwang, Being Persistent
How much time had passed?
Baek Seung-mu, lost in a trance, finally opened his eyes.
Jeong Gwang sat before him with a bored expression.
"You're late. What took so damn long?"
Baek Seung-mu gave a faint smile. His eyes had sunk deeper than before.
"Senior brother. Thank you... truly."
It wasn't just grasping the knack of the Lesser Pure Qi Art. By repeatedly circulating his qi along the path Jeong Gwang had carved out, he'd fully melted his family-inherited inner arts into the Lesser Pure Qi Art.
One step forward in a single night.
That means...
I can keep going.
The way he looked at Jeong Gwang shone with profound trust.
I can grow stronger. I don't know how far, but I can follow in senior brother's footsteps forever!
Growing his strength to become the hero he'd always dreamed of.
A great hero who would aid the world's suffering masses!
Baek Seung-mu trembled with overwhelming emotion.
"Junior brother. It's morning."
"Ah! Already?"
"Yeah. Time to think about working the land."
"...Pardon?"
"Buying it doesn't end there."
True enough.
"We bought it thinking long-term, but you gonna just sit idle till the price rises?"
What kind of wasteful nonsense was that?
"Put your brain to work while you're at it."
Sound advice, but...
That's merchant work!
Having just advanced a step in the vast world of martial arts, to hear this now?
Unacceptable.
Baek Seung-mu's face hardened.
"Senior brother. I want to focus on martial arts..."
"You were fumbling with Dragon Form Steps during practice. We'll sort it out when you get back."
"No time to waste! I'll head out right away!"
"Might be some punks picking fights, so change clothes and adjust your disguise. Make excuses to big senior brother."
"Of course!"
Un Ja-bae and Heo Ja-bae had already left early for the Murim Alliance as usual.
After sending Baek Seung-mu off, Jeong Gwang flopped onto the bed.
Nice.
High-end inns had decent food.
The room was spacious and clean, the bed comfy.
Jeong Gwang closed his eyes gently.
The martial arts of the foes from the past two days flashed in his mind.
The hopelessly sloppy fist and foot techniques.
The saber arts that were decent if redirected, though amateurish.
The sword arts that looked promising but were hampered by the user's low realm.
Still, Namgung is Namgung.
Among the myriad arts, the Namgung family's swordsmanship had impressed him most.
If even one had properly mimicked it, things would've been more fun.
Suddenly, the young successor of the Kongtong Sect flashed through his mind. Among all those he had encountered, that youth possessed the most plausible skills and truly understood how to wield them with decent proficiency.
But he lost control in the thrill of facing someone he could beat freely.
Couldn't repeat that mistake.
Wonder who'll do.
This was the Central Plains. With his status, challenging elder experts would stir trouble. The only peers were the Nine Dragons Eight Phoenixes.
Speak of the devil—one's coming.
A familiar presence approached.
It was Yu Jeong-pung.
"Little brother. You doing well?"
"How'd you get in?"
"Hahaha. I'm the Righteous Dragon of the Nine Dragons, you know."
Seemed you needed Nine Dragons rank to sneak into a fancy inn as a beggar.
"Keeping my promise to visit early for you."
"To learn that? My junior brother just left."
"Nah, he's fine. Looked no different from me, no matter how I squinted."
Spoken like the Beggars' Sect's rear flag-bearer.
Yu Jeong-pung had an eye for people.
"The girl I fancy happens to be nearby."
"One of the Eight Phoenixes, by chance?"
"Spot on. Watch me talk to her and tell me what's wrong, how to fix it."
One of the Eight Phoenixes. Perfect—he'd been curious.
If she's weaker than expected, it'll be disappointing.
A fine benchmark right here.
Jeong Gwang eyed Yu Jeong-pung intently.
Bone structure, stance, aura.
This much told him plenty.
Decent for his age.
Better than Yu Jeong-pung? Easy to ask.
"The Nine Dragons Eight Phoenixes are the top of our generation, right? Where do you rank among them?"
Rude question, but Yu Jeong-pung didn't mind. He stroked his chin thoughtfully before speaking.
"First off: calling the Nine Dragons Eight Phoenixes the righteous sects' best juniors is nonsense."
The Central Plains were vast. Ranking scattered warriors from countless sects was impossible.
"Can't deny faction and family prestige plays a big role. Only from influential powers, yeah?"
No one from remote sects like Kunlun, Jeomchang, or Kongtong.
"My spot among them? Met some, not others... Middle of the pack? Probably. Maybe lower."
Good enough.
"Perfect. Let's go."
"What do you mean? Something feels off."
"Your imagination."
"Haha, sure. Disguise tighter, change clothes. You stand out too much."
"Got it."
Jeong Gwang headed to big senior brother Jeong U with Yu Jeong-pung. Jeong U didn't flinch at the sneaking beggar.
Yu Jeong-pung's eyes narrowed.
He knew? Not just Jeong Gwang—Jeong clan's got depth.
Jeong U spoke gravely to Jeong Gwang.
"Remember Grandmaster's words?"
"Yes, big senior brother."
"Don't bind your actions too tightly, but bear responsibility. Understand?"
Jeong Gwang was special.
Un Hu, Kunlun's great elder, trusted him to walk the righteous path. Whatever the end, it'd align with the Dao.
He might stray briefly, but the burden was his alone.
Jeong Gwang nodded; Jeong U nodded back.
"I trust you."
"No worries."
Jeong U was honestly worried.
His gaze shifted to Yu Jeong-pung.
"Yu young hero. Look after him."
"Haha, entrusting the Jade Jade Dragon to me? Shouldn't it be the other way?"
Jeong U stared; Yu Jeong-pung grew serious.
"I'll do my utmost to keep him out of trouble."
"I believe you."
The two clasped hands firmly.
Jeong Gwang protested in disbelief.
"Hey, what'd I even do?"
Jeong U and Yu Jeong-pung gripped tighter, exchanging fervent gazes.
A few young men lingered outside today too. But as Jeong Gwang and Yu Jeong-pung passed, they only glared—no further action.
No blood yet, so they keep coming.
In his past life, he'd have ensured they never returned.
Ensured they couldn't even think, by death.
But not possible in this life. Recalling righteous sects' ways, a method emerged.
Need fame.
Fame making hot-blooded youths scatter rather than challenge. Not just beating Namgung posers—real experts.
Jeong Gwang asked Yu Jeong-pung.
"How far's my reputation spread in the Central Plains?"
"I know some. But I'm Beggars' Sect rear flag-bearer. Qinghai tales take time to reach Henan."
True.
"Frankly: most won't buy you beating her. A kid under twenty felling a Kongtong elder? Absurd. They'll think it's exaggerated."
"Hmm. Guess I need to topple top peers after all."
"Hey! Not me. I'm mid-tier."
This beggar caught on quick.
"Building fame, little brother?"
"To filter posers. Real challengers mean no boredom."
His calm tone made it sound inevitable. Absolute confidence he'd win anyone.
"That crush. Which Phoenix?"
Yu Jeong-pung shivered.
"Not her!"
"Won't fight if she doesn't challenge."
"Don't eye her! Disguise more!"
"That it? I'm a Taoist."
"Phew. Right."
"For now."
"...What? Say again?"
"Where we headed?"
They'd arrived.
A luxurious teahouse.
"We're strangers. Come separately."
"Got it."
They entered.
The tea master, recognizing Yu Jeong-pung, bowed them to the second floor.
Jeong Gwang instantly spotted Yu Jeong-pung's crush.
She stood out that much—a striking beauty.
Ice dripping off her.
Nearby youths stole glances but dared not approach.
-Little brother. Watch and advise.
-Sure.
Jeong Gwang sat at an empty table.
Yu Jeong-pung steadied his breath, strode to her, stood tall, and cupped fists.
"Greetings, Tang young lady."
"Yu young hero. Nice to see you."
"......"
"......"
"......Then, I'll be off."
"Yes."
That was it.
Yu Jeong-pung strode back to a table near Jeong Gwang.
-Well? What's wrong?
-...Joking?
No! Dead serious! Her flawless, pure eyes made my heart burst—I couldn't speak! Tell me! What to do?
Jeong Gwang was dumbfounded.
Flawless what? Just cold eyes.
He'd thought, like Baek Seung-mu said, Yu Jeong-pung's beggar status was the issue.
But no—the man himself was the problem.
-You'd do exactly what I say?
-...No confidence.
-One way then.
-What? Tell me!
-Can't talk? Communicate with your body.
-...Not that far yet...
What? Challenge to spar. Clashing bodies might open hearts—and words.
Absurd yet oddly sensible.
Yu Jeong-pung perked ears, nodding—then sighed.
-Impossible.
-Why?
-No chance to clash with her. Plus...
He paused, shuddering.
-...I'd risk my life.
Then, a youth approached her.
Fine robes, sturdy build—a scion from some warrior clan.
"Pardon, miss. May I ask something?"
She eyed him silently.
Face flushing, he spoke. Clearly leagues above Yu Jeong-pung.
"I'm Cho Sang-yeong, eldest son of Taiyuan's Cho Clan. Struck by your beauty, I risk rudeness. If not too much trouble, grant me the honor of joining you?"
Jeong Gwang revised his assessment. Better a mute like Yu Jeong-pung—this guy was cringey.
She agreed.
"Too much trouble. Back to your seat."
"Miss. For my face..."
"I've indulged plenty."
His face reddened further—with rage.
"Ahem. Too rude. So heartless?"
"Rude is you. Forcing a seat on a stranger?"
"My goodwill, yet you push—too harsh! Apologize!"
"No?"
"Swords decide then!"
She rose, donning deer-leather gloves.
His face darkened.
"N-no way... Poison Phoenix?"
"I dislike that moniker."
"S-sorry! Didn't realize. I'm gone!"
He clasped hands frantically, fleeing the teahouse. She watched coldly, then sat and sipped tea.
Poison Phoenix?
Jeong Gwang eyed her.
Deep green robes covering to fingertips.
Waist sash with pouches large and small.
Vast Central Plains, but only one clan dressed so.
Dark weapons and poisons shaking Sichuan and beyond. Repay favors double, grudges a hundredfold—the ultimate poison clan.
Sichuan Tang Clan.
Yu Jeong-pung's words clicked. No clashing with hidden weapons; life on the line with poisons.
Jeong Gwang's eyes gleamed.
Perfect. Just perfect.
Poisons weren't for anyone. Collecting, mixing true ones cost fortunes, needed vast knowledge and experience.
Even fewer masters wielded poison arts freely. And here was one.
Jeong Gwang needed poisons. Good ones, in quantity.
Was just thinking it's time.
Even in past life, he'd reached Ten Thousand Poisons Immunity only in old age.
Far weaker now, poisons were deadly dangerous.
Start building tolerance. Stockpile too.
He rose, approaching her.
Yu Jeong-pung 'Huh? Huh?'—but Jeong Gwang was already there.
"Excuse me."
She sighed inwardly, looking up. Disguise hid age, but voice screamed youth.
"Don't pester. Go away."
"Pester? Hmm. Maybe."
"...Meaning?"
Jeong Gwang's clear voice rang in her ears.
"I want to fight you."
"...!"
"You look backed up. How about it?"